Retiring can be socially isolating. Not only does it mean that you no longer interact with your coworkers on a daily basis, but you may not be able to get together with friends and family members who are still working. You need to make a plan to make new friends and have new adventures.​Today’s seniors are living longer, are better educated and more physically active than past generations. They have more time and more options to stay socially active as they age. Some common ways older people engage socially are going to museums and the theater, participating in activities at a senior center or joining a card club. But, there are more ways to connect with others, too. Think outside the box to stay young and engaged. Try these ideas.

​Be a lifelong learner

​Consider taking a community or university class to meet other people with similar interests. Pick subjects that you’ve always wanted to learn more about, such as biology, political science, history, psychology or foreign languages. Or take a class that can help you learn a new hobby or skill, such as photography, scrapbooking art or carpentry. Keep up with advances in technology by enrolling in computer or technology classes. Some universities have classes designed for seniors without tests or credits and may be offered for free. Check if a college near you offers this perk.

​Some people start a second career or pick up new skills on the job. Try something new like becoming an Uber/Lyft driver or go back to school or launch a new business or foundation.

​Join a club

​Get involved in special clubs with events like recreational vehicle groups, quilting clubs, fishing groups, religious study groups, travel groups, society or book clubs. Whether it’s a passion you’ve had your whole life or a newfound interest you want to try, exploring a hobby with a group can expose you to new ideas and adventures.

​Volunteer

​Volunteer your time at schools, churches, libraries, non-profit organizations and community centers. Find something you are passionate about. It is a great way to get together socially with others who have interests similar to yours and help those in need. It also gives purpose to life.

​Get physically active with others

It’s important to stay physically active as you age. Check out groups that provide both physical and social activities, such as dance, yoga, charity walks, biking groups, swimming, golf, pickle ball or lawn bowling. You could even become a referee for your favorite sport.​Some activities are open to all age groups, while others are for seniors only. Silver Sneakers is a program designed to keep adults 65 years and older healthy and moving. The program includes 13,000 participating facilities, such as YMCAs, across the U.S. It offers access to exclusive fitness classes, meetups and even Medicare health plans. As a member, you can attend any participating gyms at any time. Opportunities abound. It may take a step out of your comfort zone to try something new, but you won’t regret taking the leap.

Jean Cherry, BSN, WCC, MBA develops clinical programs and writes for Walgreens, where you can find assistive devices for seniors like lift chairs on the Walgreens website. As a former home health nurse, Jean prides herself in helping seniors stay active in their communities and live independently at home.

Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Walgreens does not recommend or endorse any products, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in the article. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.

It is inevitable for small businesses to require outside financing to grow. There are diverse funding options available such that it has become easy for individuals to get small business loans. Nevertheless, such variety of lending options can present a challenge in that it is hard for business owners to be sure of the choices they are making in terms of the best loan provider. ​The following 5 tips will help you increase your chances of finding the best small loan provider that aligns with your needs.

1. ​Establish your needs

Knowing what you need will determine the type of loan provider you choose. Different loan providers have varying terms and conditions. Being aware of what you need will help you establish whether taking a loan from a funding company is worth the struggle. Additionally, establishing your needs should also guide you to focus on a loan provider that offers loans based on your expected terms and conditions.

2. ​Have all the information about your business

​Prior to making any loan application, ensure that all important information about your business is ready. Usually financial documents are key documents that any loan provider would want to see. Other important and necessary information include the ownership of the business, employer identification number, taxpayer ID, as well as income information. Having this information increases your chances of getting the loan approved quickly.

3. ​Screen various online lenders

Nowadays, majority of online lending companies are engaging in predatory practices. If you are not careful, the chances of being conned are high. It is advisable to work with a loan provider that is comfortable offering loan terms upfront. Also, look for one who has security disclosures on their web pages as well as a physical address.

4. ​Carry out a true-cost analysis

​Different loan providers have varying repayment terms, and APRs (the term that describes how much money you are subject to paying including the fees and interest rates). These two factors form the basis for comparing loans from different providers. If you are looking for a merchant cash advance, you should be ready to pay higher APRs, and a weekly or daily repayment terms. Online term loans are high in terms of APRs when compared to financing from traditional banks. They however; attract low interest rates than merchant cash advances.

5. ​Know the focus of lenders

Lenders often use different factors to measure a person's eligibility for a small business loan. For example, debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) is an element of consideration in the event you are looking for loans that are competitive in price, and are of better terms, and lower rates. Other lenders look for a strong personal credit score, and yet others focus on the property or inventory of your business.​While it is tempting to apply for a loan from any online lender available, taking the time to understand the terms and conditions can save you much inconvenience. As such, you need to take the time to research about the lender’s reputation, and read through the fine print before applying for your loan.

The idea of pulling in a little extra income isn’t something that most people need to be sold on. But then there’s that pesky question of how — it’s not always easy to fit in another job opportunity outside of your usual grind. And when you do, that opportunity runs the risk of feeling like a drain on your precious free time. How to get around these pitfalls, you ask? Going to a magical land called Rover.com that will pay to you to hang out with four-legged furry friends.

​What everyone’s wagging their tails about

​Rover, as you can probably guess, isn’t your average side gig. This pet-sitter network is knit together by the experienced pet sitters like you, pet owners who use Rover for a variety of coverage needs, and the trustworthy Rover specialists themselves who make sure the entire experience is marked by strong communication and clear expectations. As a pet sitter (once approved), you have the power to tailor your Rover profile in a way that best showcases your pet-sitting experience and passion for dogs and/or cats.

​The Rover application

​As a testament to their high quality standards, Rover’s sitter specialists approve about 20% of the folks who apply to become sitters. Applicants undergo a background check to ensure that all dogs and cats in the network are in trustworthy hands, plus Rover asks that you include testimonials on your profile that can speak to your sitting abilities. When approved and creating your bio on your sitter profile, you get the chance to tout your own experience and passion for pet care.

​On the job

Rover sitting means that you work when you want, with whom you want, and how you want. You can watch dogs and cats for a weekend while their parents are away, provide drop-in visits for walks or general company, and so much more. The Rover profile also makes it easy to outline the kind of work you’re comfortable with and the animal breeds (and sizes) you have the most experience caring for. The Rover site gives you the agency to communicate with potential clients and get a feel for whether a job is right for you, so you never have to accept a job you don’t feel comfortable with or ready for.

And as for the best part of being a Rover sitter, we don’t need to tell you. Four-legged friends are the best aspect of most things, after all — and this incredible side gig opportunity is no exception.

Written by Casey Dickson, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

It is no secret that temporary and part time jobs for retirees are becoming a normal part of the retirement process. Although some people view retirement as a time to solely embark on leisurely pursuits, others feel the urge to either remain professionally active to some degree--or, in the case of retirees with no previous official employment experience, join the workforce for the first time. There are many reasons retirees decide to pursue temporary and part time jobs. Some of these include:

Supplementing retirement income to pay essential bills

Social interaction

Saving for vacations, family events or other leisurely pursuits

Keeping mentally sharp and physically fit

No matter your reasons for wanting to find temporary and part time jobs, it is important to know that you have more options than ever before when it comes to landing the perfect retirement job.

Why Retired Workers are in Demand

More and more are opting to turn to workers with a more mature, loyal outlook on employment. Some of the reasons employers are gravitating toward retired workers to fill temporary and part time job positions include:

Low rates of absenteeism

Low likelihood to change jobs, which means higher job loyalty

Open minded to learning new skills

Punctuality and welcoming of responsibility

Willing to engage with customers sincerely

A positive attitude and pride in the job being done

This shift in attitude is plainly seen in the steady increase of retired workers in the job force. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS), retired workers currently comprise over 8% of the workforce. This number is expected to increase to 11% by 2022. Additionally, recent data from the USBLS shows that as life expectancy continues to increase, so does the amount of older retired workers in the workforce. Specifically, since 1985, the number of retired workers over the age of 75 has more than doubled from 3.6% to 8% currently.

Why Temporary and Part Time Retirement Jobs?

Although some retirees decide to continue working a full time career into their retirement years, we feel this is a decision best left to your individual needs and situation. There is something to be said for allowing yourself to enjoy your retirement as you see fit. The responsibility and, many times, stress accompanying full time career occupations can become more difficult to successfully manage as we age. However, the job can accentuate and compliment your leisure time, and not take away from them in any regard.

Many temporary and part time retirement jobs allow you the freedom to make your own schedule, as well as the other benefits of employment we have discussed already. What is more, many temporary and part time retirement jobs allow you to help other people in various capacities, which is always a wonderfully effective way to be involved and feel great doing it!

You might be asking yourself how you can go about finding jobs that allow you to choose your own schedule, and provide you the opportunity to embark on employment that compliments your retirement living? Well, let’s discuss that right now. ​

Using Shiftgig to Find Part Time or Temporary Retired Jobs

Shiftgig is in 12 cities located across the United States currently

Retired Brains has found a company that takes a uniquely effective approach to helping retirees find part time or temporary retirement jobs. Since 2012, Shiftgig has helped match businesses in the hospitality and service industries (so people-based businesses) with people seeking flexible, fun and fulfilling part time or temporary jobs.

Shiftgig helps make finding part time or temporary retired jobs easy. First, you fill out an application on their website. From there, a member of the Shiftgig team will reach out to you via email to set up an in person interview. If hired, you'll use their mobile app to browse available work and other specifics relating to the job you choose.

Shiftgig is currently located in 12 cities around the country: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix and Tampa. However, their popularity means you should be on the lookout for them to put roots in your city soon. No matter where you look for and find part time or temporary retired jobs in your area, we hope that you find it. What is more, we hope it increases your quality of life by adding value to your retired years, while having some fun in the process!

​*Retired Brains is not an employment service, and does not offer job counseling or personalized employment advice. We simply strive to help boomers, seniors and retirees of all ages find resources that help add value to their lives. Retired Brains is not affiliated with Shiftgig, but find their platform to be unique and potentially helpful when looking for part time or temporary retirement job opportunities. Therefore, we always recommend doing your homework to make sure the job resources you choose are a good fit for your wants, needs, situation and of course, technological abilities. ​

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